Country Star Troy Gentry Died in Helicopter Crash on the Way to Concert

The Montgomery Gentry singer was a passenger of helicopter which crashed in a field in Medford on Friday, September 8, a few hours before the country music duo was scheduled to perform.

Troy Gentry was killed in a helicopter crash on Friday, September 8. The one half of country music duo Montgomery Gentry was a passenger of the Schweitzer 269 helicopter which crashed in a field in Medford near a New Jersey airport around 1 P.M. ET.

The country music duo was scheduled to perform at the Flying W Airport and Resort in Medford on Friday evening, and the concert was canceled immediately. Troy's bandmate Eddie Montgomery was not on board the helicopter, according to Lex 18 News in the duo's native Kentucky.

The sad news was confirmed by the band's post on social media. "It is with great sadness that we confirm that Troy Gentry, half of the popular country duo, Montgomery Gentry, was tragically killed in a helicopter crash which took place at approximately 1:00pm today in Medford, New Jersey. The duo was scheduled to perform tonight at the Flying W Airport & Resort in Medford. Troy Gentry was 50 years old," it read. "Details of the crash are unknown. Troy Gentry's family wishes to acknowledge all of the kind thoughts and prayers, and asks for privacy at this time."

The crash also killed the pilot who has not been identified. "At approximately 12:30 p.m., law enforcement received calls about a helicopter in distress at Flying W Airport in Meford New Jersey," a Burlington County Prosecutor's Office spokesperson told E! News. "When law enforcement arrived, they learned a helicopter went down in a field close to the landing destination."

The spokesperson continued, "Two males were found. One was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry. The other male was extricated from the helicopter and taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. The second victim was the pilot of the plane whose name has not yet been released."

The National Transportation Safety Board is also set to investigate the crash.

Tributes from fellow stars soon poured in. Blake Shelton posted an old picture of him and Troy. "Found this picture of me and my old friend Troy a few days ago.. I am heart broken," he captioned it.